DE102018210940A1 - Conveyor header for attachment to a harvester - Google Patents

Abstract

A conveyor attachment is attached to a harvester by means of an adapter comprising a lower feed conveyor and an upper feed roller driven by a coupling from an output of the machine which is rotatable about an axis parallel to the forward direction, and a right angle gear. The feed roller is mounted at each end, allowing for independent up and down hovering of the ends, and mechanical connection using two chains and one idler shaft between the output shaft of the gearbox and an input shaft of the roller with intervening universal coupling. The transmission is located at least partially below the discharge port and below the supply roller, behind the rear guide roller of the supply conveyor, behind the rotational axis of the supply roller and under a supply trough which is inclined upwardly and rearwardly over the transmission.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a conveyor harvesting header adapted for mounting on a self-propelled harvester, and more particularly to drive assemblies providing various components of the machine. The header can be used in particular for a forage harvester, but can be used on any harvester including combination machines.

BACKGROUND

Conveyor header assemblies generally include a conveyor frame, an elongated cutter bar along a leading edge of the frame, including a cutter bar support carrying a plurality of knife guard means for guiding the reciprocal movement of a crescent blade over a leading edge of the cutter bar. Mounted on the header is also a conveyor assembly including first and second conveyor belt guide rollers spaced along the cutter bar at a respective end of the conveyor assembly, one axis of each roller being at substantially a right angle with respect to of the cutting bar runs. A feed conveyor belt may be provided which forms a ribbon loop of a flexible material wound around rolls about a front side of the conveyor belt adjacent the cutter bar, a back side of the conveyor belt spaced rearwardly of the cutter bar, and an upper run of the conveyor belt Define conveyor belts on the rollers for carrying the crop back to a discharge opening of the header for feeding into a feed housing of the harvester.

Such a conveyor harvesting header comprises two side conveyor belts each extending from an outer end guide roller at an outer end of the header to an inner end guide roller adjacent a discharge header of the header which is connected to a crop hopper feed housing which carries the header , is attached and communicated with this. Also present is a central feed conveyor located at a discharge location and including a front guide roller immediately downstream of the cutter bar and extending to a rear guide roller on the feed housing of the harvester. Thus, there are two side conveyor belts for transporting the crop separated by means of the cutting blade along the harvesting header inwards to a central discharge opening. The side conveyor belts extend to the central feed conveyor to feed the crop from the side conveyor belts rearwardly into the feed housing for entry into the harvester for processing. A rotary feed roller, which typically carries auger feed members, is mounted to the discharge port of the header over the supply conveyor to facilitate the conveyance of bulky crop through the discharge port for delivery to the feed casing. A front end of the screw conveyor is provided in front of the rear end of the feed conveyor and guides the material inwardly and below the rotary feed element to the inlet of the feed housing.

Such a conveyor harvesting header may be used for attachment to a swath mower for forming a swath, in which case the material is conveyed to a discharge opening of the header and deposited thereon on the ground. Harvesting attachments of this type can also be used for the supply of a combi harvester, so that the materials are conveyed to an adapter element, which are conveyed at the discharge opening of the header for conveying the material from the discharge opening into the feed housing of the harvester. Furthermore, such harvesting attachments can be used for hay conditioners in which the material is conveyed from the discharge port into the crushing rollers. It is therefore noted that the use of the header is not limited to particular types of agricultural machinery but may be used with any of those machines where it is necessary to cut a stagnant crop and operate the cut crop along the header for operation to transport the machine.

So far, conveyor harvesters have not been designed specifically for use on self-propelled forage harvesters. Adaptations have been made to harvesting attachments designed for combi harvesters to allow for use on a forage harvester through these adaptations, and are primarily concerned with assembly sites, and connectors, and connectors for hydraulic fluid delivery to the header. For example, the company RCI Engineering LLC provides commercial conversion bundles to facilitate a conveyor harvesting attachment on John Deere forage harvesters such as the 7000 series and the 7250 to 7750 series. Traditionally, these harvesters have power units that provide a header drive similar to any combination harvester, that is, coupling to the header takes place in the longitudinal direction of the header (laterally across the forward and forward directions). Thus, modifications to the assembly and hydraulic connection of the header with the harvester were sufficient to accommodate the Conveyor header to make the forage harvester operable.

Recently, many forage harvesters have been made with a header drive that travels and couples in a direction parallel to the forward direction / direction of travel, allowing, for example, easier implementation on automatic drive shaft coupling systems. However, it is more difficult to adapt a conveyor harvesting header designed for a combination harvester for use with a forage harvester because the primary mechanical power input to such harvesting attachments is parallel to the length of the header, ie, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the header.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

• wobei die Erntemaschine eine Zufuhröffnung an einem vorderen Ende und eine Antriebswelle an oder neben der Zufuhröffnung zur Übertragung von Leistung an den Ernte-Erntevorsatz hat, wobei sich die Antriebswelle in einer Ebene im Allgemeinen parallel zu einer Vorwärtsbewegungsrichtung der Erntemaschine erstreckt und ein Ausgangskopplungselement an einem vorderen Ende davon umfasst;
• wobei der Erntevorsatz zum Schneiden und Transportieren eines stehenden Ernteguts angeordnet ist und aufweist:
  • einen Erntevorsatz-Rahmen;
  • einen länglichen Schneider, der an einem vorderen Ende des Rahmens mit dem Rahmen verbunden ist, so dass er entlang einer Vorderkante des Erntevorsatzrahmens angeordnet ist;
  • eine Förder-Anordnung zum Fördern des geschnittenen Ernteguts an eine Ausleitöffnung des Erntevorsatzes;
  • wobei die Förder-Anordnung erste und zweite Seitenförderbänder jeweils auf einer jeweiligen Seite der Ausleitöffnung umfasst, wobei eine äußere Führungswalze an einem gegenüberliegenden Ende des Erntevorsatzrahmens, eine innere Führungswalze neben der Ausleitöffnung angeordnet ist, und ein Förderband um die äußeren und inneren Führungswalzen gewickelt ist, um einen oberen Lauf des jeweiligen Seitenförderbands zu definieren, um das geschnittene Erntegut über den Erntevorsatz an ein Ausleitungsende neben der Ausleitöffnung zu befördern;
  • ein Zufuhrwalzenelement, das an der Ausleitöffnung montiert ist und angeordnet ist, um in einer Richtung gedreht zu werden, um Erntegut unter dem Zufuhrwalzenelement durch die Ausleitöffnung in die Zufuhreinleitöffnung der Erntemaschine zu befördern;
  • einen Erntevorsatzleistungseingang, der drehbar um eine Achse in dieser Ebene parallel zu der Vorwärtsrichtung gekoppelt ist, um Leistung von der Erntevorsatzantriebskopplung der Erntemaschine aufzunehmen und aus der Leistung zumindest das Zufuhrwalzenelement und die Förder-Anordnung anzutreiben;
  • und ein Antriebssystem umfassend ein Getriebe, das mit der Eingangskopplung verbunden ist und eine Ausgangswelle zum Antreiben von zumindest dem Zufuhrwalzenelement bereitstellt, wobei sich die Ausgangswelle quer zu der Vorwärtsrichtung erstreckt.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a harvester header for attachment to a self-propelled harvester;

• wherein the harvester has a feed opening at a front end and a drive shaft at or adjacent the feed opening for transmitting power to the crop header, the drive shaft extending in a plane generally parallel to a forward direction of travel of the harvester and an output coupling member at a front End of it includes;
• wherein the header is arranged for cutting and transporting a standing crop and comprises:
  • a header frame;
  • an elongated cutter connected to the frame at a front end of the frame so as to be disposed along a front edge of the header frame;
  • a conveyor arrangement for conveying the cut crop to a discharge opening of the header;
  • the conveyor assembly comprising first and second side conveyor belts each on a respective side of the discharge port, an outer guide roller being disposed at an opposite end of the header frame, an inner guide roller adjacent the discharge port, and a conveyor belt wound around the outer and inner guide rollers, to define an upper run of the respective side conveyor to transport the cut crop over the header to a discharge end adjacent the discharge opening;
  • a feed roller member mounted on the discharge port and arranged to be rotated in one direction to convey crop under the supply roller member through the discharge port into the feed introduction port of the harvester;
  • a header power input rotatably coupled about an axis in said plane parallel to the forward direction for receiving power from the harvester drive coupling of the harvester and for driving power from at least the feed roller member and the conveyor assembly;
  • and a drive system comprising a gear connected to the input coupling and providing an output shaft for driving at least the feed roller element, the output shaft extending transversely to the forward direction.

The term feed roller element generally comprises any cylindrical element which may or may not comprise a cylindrical wall, and which may typically comprise screw flights on parts or the whole periphery, but these are not mandatory. In some cases, fingers can be provided which are retractable to different angular positions of the roller. That is, the specific construction of the rotary element forming the roller element may vary, but generally the element forms a shape of an outer peripheral structure which engages the crop to convey it below the axis of rotation of the element.

As indicated above, the output shaft will at least drive the feed roller member, but will typically also drive some or all of the remaining components of the header, including the cutter bar and conveyors. In other words, the output shaft preferably also drives a hydraulic pump to drive at least the cutting device and the conveyor belts.

The drive system preferably has a right-angled transmission.

Preferably, the right angle gear is at least partially mounted within an imaginary, downwardly extending projection of the feed roller.

• wobei der Erntevorsatz zum Schneiden und Transportieren eines stehenden Ernteguts angeordnet ist und aufweist:
  • einen Erntevorsatzrahmen;
  • eine längliche Schneideinrichtung, die mit dem Rahmen an einem vorderen Ende des Rahmens verbunden ist, so dass sie entlang einer Vorderkante des Erntevorsatzrahmens angeordnet ist;
  • eine Förder-Anordnung zum Befördern des geschnittenen Ernteguts an eine Ausleitöffnung des Erntevorsatzes;
  • die Förder-Anordnung umfassend erste und zweite Seitenförderbänder jeweils auf einer jeweiligen Seite der Ausleitöffnung mit einer äußeren Führungswalze an einem gegenüberliegenden Ende des Erntevorsatzrahmens, einer inneren Führungswalze neben der Ausleitöffnung, und einem Förderband, das um die äußeren und inneren Führungswalzen gewickelt ist, um einen oberen Lauf des jeweiligen Seitenförderbands zu definieren, um das geschnittene Erntegut über den Erntevorsatz zu einem Ausleitungsende neben der Ausleitungsöffnung zu befördern;
  • ein Zufuhrwalzenelement, das an der Ausleitöffnung montiert ist und angeordnet ist, um in einer Richtung gedreht zu werden, um Erntegut unter dem Zufuhrwalzenelement durch die Ausleitöffnung in die Zufuhreingangsöffnung der Erntemaschine zu befördern;
  • wobei die Zufuhrwalze an jedem Ende an Halterungen montiert ist, die eine unabhängige Auf- und Ab-Bewegung der Enden des Zufuhrwalzenelements ermöglichen;
  • eine Ausgangsantriebswelle zum Bereitstellen eines Antriebs zumindest an dem Zufuhrwalzenelement der Erntemaschine;
  • und eine mechanische Anbindung zwischen der Ausgangswelle und einer Eingangsantriebswelle, die mit einem Ende des Zufuhrwalzenelements verbunden ist;
  • und wobei eine Universalkopplung zwischen der Eingangsantriebswelle und dem besagten einen Ende des Zufuhrwalzenelements bereitgestellt ist, um ein Anheben und Absenken dieses Endes gegenüber dem anderen Ende zu ermöglichen.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a crop header is provided for attachment to a self-propelled harvester;

• wherein the header is arranged for cutting and transporting a standing crop and comprises:
  • a header frame;
  • an elongated cutter connected to the frame at a front end of the frame so as to be disposed along a leading edge of the header frame;
  • a conveyor assembly for conveying the cut crop to a discharge opening of the header;
  • the conveyor assembly comprising first and second side conveyor belts each on a respective side of the discharge port with an outer guide roller at an opposite end of the header frame, an inner guide roller adjacent to the discharge port, and a conveyor belt wound around the outer and inner guide rollers define upper run of the respective side conveyor to transport the cut crop over the header to a discharge end adjacent the discharge opening;
  • a feed roller member mounted on the discharge port and arranged to be rotated in one direction to convey crop under the feed roller member through the discharge port to the feed input port of the harvester;
  • the feed roller being mounted at each end to brackets allowing independent up and down movement of the ends of the feed roller member;
  • an output drive shaft for providing a drive to at least the feed roller member of the harvester;
  • and a mechanical connection between the output shaft and an input drive shaft connected to one end of the feed roller element;
  • and wherein a universal coupling is provided between the input drive shaft and said one end of the feed roller member to enable raising and lowering of that end with respect to the other end.

Preferably, the universal coupling is located within an end portion of the roller.

Preferably, the universal coupling is connected to a transverse plate within the roller.

In a preferred embodiment, the adapter comprises a feed conveyor comprising a front guide roller located behind the cutter bar, a rear guide roller behind the front guide roller, and a conveyor belt wound around the front and rear guide rollers to guide an upper run of the feed conveyor belt To define picking of the crop from discharge ends of the first and second side conveyor belts and for conveying the crop rearwardly to the discharge opening. However, in other cases, the feed conveyor belt may be omitted, so that the crop is conveyed by the feed roller into the discharge opening.

Specifically, the gear is preferably positioned behind the rear guide roller of the feed conveyor belt and also the gear is preferably positioned behind the axis of rotation of the feed roller.

Preferably, at the rear of the feed conveyor, there is a crop guide surface located above the gearbox and arranged to guide the crop to the feed opening with the guide surface of the feed conveyor and also the gearbox preferably positioned behind the rotation axis of the feed roller.

Preferably, the adapter comprises a bottom pan below the feed conveyor defining a lower plane extending from the cutter bar along the bottom of the header frame to a position in front of the feed housing. In this arrangement, the transmission is preferably located behind the floor pan and above the level of the tub. Thus, the transmission is in a protected area where it is retracted behind the tub and above the position where it can come into contact with the ground.

According to another important preferred feature of the invention, there is provided a mechanical connection between the output shaft and an input drive shaft connected to one end of the feed roller.

Preferably, the mechanical linkage includes an idler shaft parallel to the output shaft and the input drive shaft, a first chain drive located between the output shaft and the idler shaft, and a second chain drive located between the idler shaft and the input drive shaft.

This is preferably used in an arrangement in which the feed roller is mounted at each end to brackets which allow levitation movement of the feed roller up and down.

In one example, the brackets can pivot arms about a pivoting movement Have transverse axis along the cutting bar. The location of the pivot joint is preferably in front of the roller but may be at other positions.

In cases where the mechanical linkage includes the above idler shaft parallel to the output shaft and the input drive shaft, the pivot arms preferably have a pivot axis coaxial with the idler shaft.

It is also preferred that each pivot arm is associated with a spring which acts to bias the feed roller downwardly.

In addition to driving the feed roller, the output shaft is preferably connected to a hydraulic pump to provide hydraulic fluid drive to the conveyor belts and the two components on the header, including the cutter blade drive and the roller.

According to another important preferred feature of the invention, where the feed roller is mounted at each end to brackets which allow independent upward and downward movement of the ends of the feed roller and a mechanical connection is provided between the output shaft and an input drive shaft provided with one end Preferably, a universal coupling between the input drive shaft and the said one end of the roller is provided to allow lifting and lowering of this end relative to the other end.

Preferably, the universal coupling is located within an end portion of the roll and is connected to a transverse plate within the roll.

• wobei der Feldhäcksler eine Zufuhreingangsöffnung an einem vorderen Ende und eine Antriebswelle an oder neben der Zufuhröffnung zur Übertragung von Leistung auf den Erntegut-Erntevorsatz hat, wobei sich die Erntevorsatzantriebswelle in einer Ebene allgemein parallel zu einer Vorwärtsbewegungsrichtung des Feldhäckslers erstreckt, und ein Ausgangskopplungselement an einem vorderen Ende davon umfasst;
• wobei der Erntevorsatz zum Schneiden und Transportieren eines stehenden Ernteguts angeordnet ist und aufweist:
  • einen Erntevorsatzrahmen;
  • eine längliche Schneideinrichtung, die mit dem Rahmen an einem vorderen Ende des Rahmens verbunden ist, so dass sie entlang einer Vorderkante des Erntevorsatzrahmens angeordnet ist;
  • eine Förder-Anordnung zum Befördern des geschnittenen Ernteguts an eine Ausleitöffnung des Erntevorsatzes;
  • die Förder-Anordnung umfassend erste und zweite Seitenförderbänder jeweils auf einer jeweiligen Seite der Ausleitöffnung mit einer äußeren Führungswalze an einem gegenüberliegenden Ende des Erntevorsatzrahmens, einer inneren Führungswalze neben der Ausleitöffnung, und einem Förderband, das um die äußeren und inneren Führungswalzen gewickelt ist, um einen oberen Lauf des jeweiligen Seitenförderbands zu definieren, um das geschnittene Erntegut über den Erntevorsatz zu einem Ausleitungsende neben der Ausleitungsöffnung zu befördern;
  • einen Adapter, aufweisend:
    • einen Adapterrahmen, der zur Befestigung an dem Feldhäcksler an der Zufuhröffnung und dem Erntevorsatzrahmen angeordnet ist, so dass der Erntevorsatzrahmen durch den Feldhäcksler getragen wird;
    • eine Zufuhrwalze, die an der Ausleitöffnung montiert ist und angeordnet ist, um in einer Richtung gedreht zu werden, um Erntegut unter dem Zufuhrwalzenelement durch die Ausleitöffnung in die Zufuhreingangsöffnung der Erntemaschine zu befördern;
    • eine Erntevorsatzleistungseingangskopplung, drehbar um eine Achse in dieser Ebene parallel zu der Vorwärtsrichtung zur Aufnahme von Leistung von der Erntevorsatzantriebkopplung des Feldhäckslers und zum Antreiben, aus der Leistung, der Zufuhrwalze und der Förder-Anordnung;
    • und ein rechtwinkliges Getriebe an der Erntevorsatzleistungseingangskopplung umfassend eine Ausgangswelle, die sich um eine Achse mit rechten Winkeln zu der Vorwärtsrichtung dreht und längs des Schneidbalkens;
    • wobei eine mechanische Anbindung zwischen der Ausgangswelle und einer Eingangsantriebswelle bereitgestellt ist, die mit einem Ende der Zufuhrwalze verbunden ist.

According to another aspect of the invention, a crop header is provided for attachment to a forage harvester;

• wherein the forage harvester has a feed inlet opening at a front end and a drive shaft at or adjacent to the feed opening for transmitting power to the crop header, the header drive shaft extending in a plane generally parallel to a forward direction of travel of the forage harvester, and an output coupling member at a forward end End of it includes;
• wherein the header is arranged for cutting and transporting a standing crop and comprises:
  • a header frame;
  • an elongated cutter connected to the frame at a front end of the frame so as to be disposed along a leading edge of the header frame;
  • a conveyor assembly for conveying the cut crop to a discharge opening of the header;
  • the conveyor assembly comprising first and second side conveyor belts each on a respective side of the discharge port with an outer guide roller at an opposite end of the header frame, an inner guide roller adjacent the discharge port, and a conveyor belt wound around the outer and inner guide rollers define upper run of the respective side conveyor to transport the cut crop over the header to a discharge end adjacent the discharge opening;
  • an adapter comprising:
    • an adapter frame disposed for attachment to the forage harvester at the feed opening and the header frame so that the header frame is carried by the forage harvester;
    • a feed roller mounted on the discharge port and arranged to be rotated in one direction to convey crop under the feed roller element through the discharge port into the feed input port of the harvester;
    • a header power input coupling, rotatable about an axis in said plane parallel to the forward direction for receiving power from the header drive coupling of the forage harvester and driving, out of the power, the feed roller and the conveyor assembly;
    • and a right-angle gear at the header power input coupling comprising an output shaft rotating about an axis at right angles to the forward direction and along the cutter bar;
    • wherein a mechanical connection between the output shaft and an input drive shaft is provided, which is connected to one end of the feed roller.

Preferably, the mechanical linkage comprises an idler shaft parallel to the output shaft and the input drive shaft, a first chain drive located between the output shaft and the idler shaft, and a second chain drive is between the idle shaft and the input drive shaft, on.

Preferably, the feed roller is mounted at each end to brackets which allow up and down float movement of the feed roller.

Preferably, the brackets have pivot arms for pivotal movement about a transverse axis along the cutter bar.

Preferably, an idler shaft is provided in parallel with the output shaft and the input drive shaft, a first chain drive between the output shaft and the idler shaft, and a second chain drive between the idler shaft and the input drive shaft, and wherein the pivot arms have a pivot axis coaxial with the idler shaft.

Preferably, each pivot arm is associated with a spring which acts to bias the feed roller down.

• wobei der Feldhäcksler eine Zufuhreingangsöffnung an einem vorderen Ende und eine Antriebswelle an oder neben der Zufuhröffnung zur Übertragung von Leistung auf den Erntegut-Erntevorsatz hat, wobei sich die Erntevorsatzantriebswelle in einer Ebene allgemein parallel zu einer Vorwärtsbewegungsrichtung des Feldhäckslers erstreckt, und ein Ausgangskopplungselement an einem vorderen Ende davon umfasst;
• wobei der Erntevorsatz zum Schneiden und Transportieren eines stehenden Ernteguts angeordnet ist und aufweist:
  • einen Erntevorsatzrahmen;
  • einen länglichen Schneidbalken, der mit dem Rahmen an einem vorderen Ende des Rahmens verbunden ist, so dass sie entlang einer Vorderkante des Erntevorsatzrahmens angeordnet ist;
  • eine Förder-Anordnung zum Befördern des geschnittenen Ernteguts an eine Ausleitöffnung des Erntevorsatzes;
  • die Förder-Anordnung umfassend erste und zweite Seitenförderbänder jeweils auf einer jeweiligen Seite der Ausleitöffnung mit einer äußeren Führungswalze an einem gegenüberliegenden Ende des Erntevorsatzrahmens, einer inneren Führungswalze neben der Ausleitöffnung, und einem Förderband, das um die äußeren und inneren Führungswalzen gewickelt ist, um einen oberen Lauf des jeweiligen Seitenförderbands zu definieren, um das geschnittene Erntegut über den Erntevorsatz zu einem Ausleitungsende neben der Ausleitungsöffnung zu befördern;
  • einen Adapter, aufweisend:
    • einen Adapterrahmen, der zur Befestigung an dem Feldhäcksler an der Zufuhröffnung und dem Erntevorsatzrahmen angeordnet ist, so dass der Erntevorsatzrahmen durch den Feldhäcksler gelagert wird;
    • eine Zufuhrwalze, die an der Ausleitöffnung montiert ist und angeordnet ist, um in einer Richtung gedreht zu werden, um Erntegut unter dem Zufuhrwalzenelement durch die Ausleitöffnung in die Zufuhreingangsöffnung der Erntemaschine zu befördern;
    • eine Erntevorsatzleistungseingangskopplung, drehbar um eine Achse in dieser Ebene parallel zu der Vorwärtsrichtung zur Aufnahme von Leistung von der Erntevorsatzantriebkopplung des Feldhäckslers und zum Antreiben, aus der Leistung, der Zufuhrwalze und der Förder-Anordnung;
    • und ein rechtwinkliges Getriebe an der Erntevorsatzleistungseingangskopplung umfassend eine Ausgangswelle, die sich um eine Achse mit rechten Winkeln zu der Vorwärtsrichtung dreht und längs des Schneidbalkens;
    • wobei eine mechanische Anbindung zwischen der Ausgangswelle und einer Eingangsantriebswelle bereitgestellt ist, die mit einem Ende der Zufuhrwalze verbunden ist;
    • und wobei eine Universalkopplung zwischen der Eingangsantriebswelle und dem besagten einen Ende des Zufuhrwalzenelements bereitgestellt ist, um ein Anheben und Absenken dieses Endes gegenüber dem anderen Ende zu ermöglichen.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a crop harvesting attachment for attachment to a self-propelled forage harvester;

• wherein the forage harvester has a feed inlet opening at a front end and a drive shaft at or adjacent to the feed opening for transmitting power to the crop header, the header drive shaft extending in a plane generally parallel to a forward direction of travel of the forage harvester, and an output coupling member at a forward end End of it includes;
• wherein the header is arranged for cutting and transporting a standing crop and comprises:
  • a header frame;
  • an elongated cutter bar connected to the frame at a front end of the frame so as to be disposed along a front edge of the header frame;
  • a conveyor assembly for conveying the cut crop to a discharge opening of the header;
  • the conveyor assembly comprising first and second side conveyor belts each on a respective side of the discharge port with an outer guide roller at an opposite end of the header frame, an inner guide roller adjacent to the discharge port, and a conveyor belt wound around the outer and inner guide rollers define upper run of the respective side conveyor to transport the cut crop over the header to a discharge end adjacent the discharge opening;
  • an adapter comprising:
    • an adapter frame, which is arranged for attachment to the forage harvester at the feed opening and the header frame, so that the header frame is supported by the forage harvester;
    • a feed roller mounted on the discharge port and arranged to be rotated in one direction to convey crop under the feed roller element through the discharge port into the feed input port of the harvester;
    • a header power input coupling, rotatable about an axis in said plane parallel to the forward direction for receiving power from the header drive coupling of the forage harvester and driving, out of the power, the feed roller and the conveyor assembly;
    • and a right-angle gear at the header power input coupling comprising an output shaft rotating about an axis at right angles to the forward direction and along the cutter bar;
    • wherein a mechanical connection between the output shaft and an input drive shaft is provided, which is connected to one end of the feed roller;
    • and wherein a universal coupling is provided between the input drive shaft and said one end of the feed roller member to enable raising and lowering of that end with respect to the other end.

Preferably, the universal coupling is located within an end portion of the roll and is connected to a transverse plate within the roll.

It is an aspect of the invention to provide a transmission for a crop harvesting conveyor harvesting header to be used with a self-propelled forage harvester. The self-propelled forage harvester has a header drive for transmitting power to the header, which is adapted for connection in a direction of coupling parallel to a forward direction of travel of the forage harvester. Therefore, the transmission is arranged to operatively connect an output coupling of the header harvester drive and an input coupling of a header power input to receive power from the forage harvester to couple so that a transfer of power from the forage harvester to the header is made possible.

Typically, the input coupling of the header power input is adapted for coupling in a longitudinal direction of the header, which is transverse to the forward direction of movement of the harvester. Thus, the transmission allows couplings having incompatible coupling directions to operatively connect to each other.

Therefore, the arrangement described here couples the header drive of the forage harvester to the entrance of the header in an operatively connected manner.

Further, presently known and commercially available constructions of conveyor headers have very little internal play because their components, including the conveyor, are already positioned in the hopper feed hopper for optimum performance and feed. In addition, it is desirable to position the header as close to the harvester as possible in order to reduce the overhang load on the harvester and to reduce the need for additional feeders to convey crop back into the machine, if any there is a big gap between them.

In addition, in such an arrangement, it is desirable for a drive mechanism that drives the rotary feed element to compensate for a difference in speed between the main drive input to the header and the rotary member to achieve an appropriate ratio between the input roller speed (which determines the length of the crop) and to reach the header speed.

Furthermore, it is known that inconsistent amounts of cut crop may pass under the rotating element along its length, and therefore the rotating element is typically arranged so as to float above a feed trough below. When the rotary feed member floats, it remains connected to the drive mechanism to be driven thereby.

list of figures

• 1 eine Querschnittsansicht ist, die schematisch einen mittigen Abschnitt nur eines Erntevorsatzes gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung zeigt.
• 2 eine isometrische Ansicht ist, die nur einen Teil des mittigen Abschnitts des Erntevorsatzes aus 1 zeigt.
• 3 eine Querschnittsansicht entlang Linie 3-3 in 1 ist.
• 4 eine schematische Teilansicht entlang Linie 4-4 in 2 ist.
• 5 eine Querschnittsansicht entlang Linie 5-5 in 4 ist.
• 6 eine Querschnittsansicht entlang Linie 6-6 in 4 ist.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a central portion of only a header according to the present invention.
• 2 An isometric view is just one part of the central section of the header 1 shows.
• 3 a cross-sectional view along line 3 - 3 in 1 is.
• 4 a schematic partial view along line 4 - 4 in 2 is.
• 5 a cross-sectional view along line 5 - 5 in 4 is.
• 6 a cross-sectional view along line 6 - 6 in 4 is.

In the drawings, like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the accompanying drawings is an adapter 10 for a crop header 11 shown, for example, on a forage harvester 12 to use with its own drive. The forage harvester shown only schematically 12 includes a supply housing 13 with a forward facing open bracket 15 , at which there is a feed roller system 14 located to cut crop from the crop header 11 to transport.

Typically, self-propelled forage harvesters have a header drive 16 for transmitting power to the crop header, for connection in a coupling direction C is set, which parallel to a Vorwärtsbewegungsrichtung D runs. To this drive 16 Compatible for connection to a header power input of the header adapter is a right angle transmission 17 provided that establishes a vertical cross connection between them.

Since the present invention relates to an arrangement which provides for transfer of power from the harvester to the header, certain details not pertaining thereto may be omitted herein as otherwise known to one of ordinary skill in the art of crop harvesting attachments and harvesters are.

The conventional forage harvester 1 own drive, also referred to as Mählader, is well known in the prior art and generally has a frame 2 that moves to the ground by wheels 4 Rollbar is a cabin 5 for an operator with controls for operating the mower, including a controller, and the feeder housing 13 at a front end of the frame, which has an inlet to internal processing elements of the mover (not ), which converts cut crop fed to the feed housing into feed that is dischargeable from an outlet of the metering wheel into a storage vehicle that moves with the cutting load during the mowing process.

The feed housing 13 of the mover 1 can pick up a crop harvesting attachment for cutting a standing crop at its forward end when the cutter moves forward in one direction over the ground on which the crop stands.

A conventional conveyor harvesting attachment 11 includes a header frame 18 comprising a rear main frame member 19 extending along the header (which is a transverse direction forward of the mover's direction of travel) with a plurality of forwardly extending struts 20 , each from the rear main frame element 19 be worn. An elongated cutterbar 21 is with a front end 22 connected to the struts, allowing them along a front edge of the header frame 18 is arranged.

An adapter 10 is provided to connect the conveyor harvesting header, such as that typically used on a combi harvester, to the mowing line. The adapter 10 The illustrated embodiment therefore has a frame 24 on, at a back 25 of which on the supply housing 13 at the front end and at an opposite front to the crop header 11 attachable to a central Ausleitort, to which a side conveyor 28 . 29 ( 6 ) promotes crops cut on each side thereof.

The side conveyor belts 28 and 29 Form a conveyor belt assembly attached to the header frame 20 is mounted behind the cutter bar, so that cut by the cutter bar crop on the conveyor belt assembly falls for transport along the header to the central discharge 38 for communication with a supply port 8th passing through the feed housing 13 is defined by the master. Each side conveyor 28 . 29 includes an outer guide roller adjacent an outer end of the header frame so that the outer guide rollers on the side conveyor belts at opposite ends of the header frame 20 lie, and an inner guide roller next to the discharge 27 with a flexible loop of material wrapped around the pair of co-operative guide rolls to define an upper run of the respective side conveyor on the cut crop over the header to a discharge end of the respective side conveyor adjacent to the central exit point 27 is transported. The upper run of the respective side conveyor belt is supported, for example, by a conventional skid plate (not shown) mounted on the header frame to prevent sagging under the weight of the cut crop.

Further details of the crop conveyor belt are not described (or illustrated) as they will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

The adapter 10 further comprises a feed conveyor 30 that with the side conveyors 28 . 29 of the header 11 cooperates to deliver the cut crop to the mower. The feed conveyor 30 is located with a front roller next to the cutter bar 21 and a rear roller adjacent to the discharge port 27 to convey the cut crop from the side conveyor belts to the discharge port. Therefore, the feed conveyor comprises a front guide roller 31 that are behind the cutter bar 21 located, a rear guide roller 32 in spaced relationship behind the front guide roller, and a flexible loop of material 33 which is substantially the same as that used on the side conveyor belts wound around the front and rear guide rollers, around an upper run of the feed conveyor for receiving the crop from the discharge ends of the first and second side conveyor belts 28 . 29 and for conveying the crop to the feed opening 27 to define the forage harvester. The feed conveyor 33 typically includes bars 34 which are arranged to form a V-shape across a width of the feed conveyor from the discharge end from one side conveyor to the other, as is conventional in feed conveyors.

To assist in transferring the cut crop to the mower feed housing 13 becomes a feed roller 35 provided behind the front guide roller 31 of the feed conveyor is mounted. De feed roller 35 includes a pair of helical coil sections 36 that is about a pipe 37 with an axis A wind the roll, wherein the coil portions are located at the ends of only the roll and are wound in opposite directions, so that the feed roll, which for rotation in the direction C clockwise around the axis A is stored, tends to cut the crop in the center of the supply housing opening 27 bring to. Each of the helical coil 36 can with gusset plates 38 be strengthened, between this and the pipe 37 the feed roller are coupled. Under the feed roller 35 back to the feed opening 27 extending is a feed pan 39 over which the cut crop is on its path to the feed housing opening 15 is transported. It is noted that the feed roller 35 so arranged to be in different Heights above the feed pan 39 to thereby levitate different amounts of under this passing cut crop, as well as floating independently upwardly at each end to take a non-uniform height above the adapter when a distribution of the cut crop passing under the feed roll is uneven.

The feed roller 35 is being rotated by a pair of holding arms 40 each stored at a respective end, extending from a mounting location 41 spaced above the adapter frame and behind the rear guide roller 32 of the feed conveyor and behind the axle A the feed roller extends. The holding arms 40 are about a pivot axis P pivotable, which is located at the mounting location and facing the adapter, to be parallel to the axis of rotation A to be the feed roller. Therefore, pivoting the support arm allows the feed roller to hover at a height above the feed trough based on the thickness of the cut crop passing beneath the roller. Each swivel arm 40 is a feather 40A assigned, which acts to bias the supply roller down or to levitate the roller.

To the guide roller 35 and the feed conveyor 30 driving the adapter and the cutter bar and the conveyor assembly of the header is at the header power input for receiving power from the header drive 16 of the forage harvester the gearbox 17 for linking with an output coupling 16A of the header drive 16 provided by the forage harvester at a right angle to transfer power from the forage harvester to drive such peripheral components as the adapter and header.

The gear 17 has a conventional right angle gear so that the input coupling and the output shaft 17B at a 90 degree angle through the interposition of bevel gears 17C and 17D can be connected. This transmission has an input shaft 17E that is in line with the output coupling 16A of the drive 16 is positioned.

The gear 17 is behind the feed conveyor 30 and behind the mounting location / swivel axis P the holding arms positioned next to the feed roller 35 and the feed pan 39 , and not further ahead than the axis of rotation A the feed roller, so that the header 11 can be in close relation to the mower. Furthermore, us, in particular, is the gearbox 130 lower than the rear guide roller 32 the supply conveyor belt positioned. With such placement of the gearbox, there may be gaps between each pair of feed belt and feed roller, and the feed roller and the input conditioning rollers 13 of the mower in the feeder housing 7 be optimized for proper material transfer within the pairing. In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission is located 130 at one end of the feed roller 35 , in this particular case the left end.

To drive the feed roller 35 is on the gearbox 17 the output shaft 17B provided, extending with the feed roller 35 over two drive levels 42 . 43 is operatively connected, so that this drive system can float the feed roller can accommodate, the axis of rotation A the feed roller is neither stationary nor fixed in relation to the transmission. The output shaft 17B extends from the gearbox to the outer end of the header 11 ,

The output shaft 17B stores a sprocket 17A to that one endless chain 44 is wrapped and become a larger sprocket 45 which extends to an intermediate shaft 46 is stored, in front of the output shaft 17B at the mounting location of the support arms 40 for rotation about a longitudinal axis P is mounted. The intermediate shaft 46 extends beyond the pivotable support arm, which is generally located at that common end of the feed roller, where the transmission 17 located. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis of rotation of the intermediate shaft 46 coaxial with the pivot axis P of the support arms, which are pivotable such that the intermediate shaft 46 also above the output shaft. This forms a first 42 the drive stages for driving the feed roller 117 , A guide sprocket 47 is at the bottom of the loop in the middle of the Endkettenräder 17A . 45 provided to guide and tension the endless chain in a path.

A second 43 the drive stages is replaced by a second sprocket 48 formed at the intermediate shaft 46 is stored and through an endless chain 49 with a sprocket 50 connected, which is behind the intermediate shaft 46 located and with the feed roller 35 connected is. The second sprocket 48 at the intermediate shaft 46 is located on one side of the first Zwischenkettenrads 45 in a direction towards the center of the header, so that the second intermediate sprocket wheel 48 closer to the swivel arm 40 next is the first drive stage. A guide sprocket 47A is between the roller sprocket 50 and the second intermediate sprocket 48 provided at an upper run of the loop to the endless chain 49 in a path to lead them around these two sprockets 48 . 50 is wound around when the pivotable support arm moves, wherein the roller rotation axis A their place with respect to the intermediate roller 46 changed. Therefore, the second drive stage 43 carried along the pivotable support arm and is adapted to move with this in a pivotal movement of the support arm. This saves axial space in the longitudinal direction of the adapter.

The first drive stage 42 is arranged to change the rotational speed of the output shaft of the transmission to a predetermined speed for the rotation of the feed roller.

Where the feed roller is powered is a universal joint 52 worn on the shaft 51 of the sprocket 50 provided it's the axis of rotation A the feed roller 117 allowed, with respect to the axis of the shaft 51 be inclined so that the flying height of the feed roller unevenly above the feed trough 39 is. The universal connection 52 located next to that end of the feed roller, where it is mechanically transmitted through the gearbox 17 so that the universal joint and the gearbox are closer to the common end of the feed roller than to the other end. This allows the feed roller to be driven while being biased in a position against the cut crop passing below it, if occasionally a quantity of the cut crop over the central discharge point may be uneven, thereby causing one end of the feed roller to do so to be raised towards the other end.

In the universal connection 52 It is a conventional, commercial construction with a first element 52A that is in a relationship with the wave 51 stands, the roller sprocket 50 carries, and a second element of the universal connection, with a plate 54 connected to the inside of the pipe 37 is attached.

Therefore, the universal connection is located 52 between opposite ends 35A and 35B the feed roller, and that of the helical coil 36 generally at the common end of the feed roller as the universal joint winds around the axle A the feed roller.

Therefore, the right angle gear 17 at least partially below the discharge opening 27 and under the feed roller 35 assembled. The gear 17 is behind the rear guide roller 32 of the feed conveyor 30 positioned. The gearbox is behind the axle A the rotation of the feed roller 35 positioned. The tub 39 Defines a crop guide surface that extends above the transmission 17 is located and arranged to direct the crop to the feed opening. The through the tub 39 defined guide surface is inclined upwards and backwards. A front edge 39A the tub 39 acts with a rear edge of a floor pan 39B together, which defines a lower level, and where the gearbox is behind the floor pan 39B of the adapter under the feed roller 30 is arranged. As in 1 illustrated, the bottom tray extends 39B from a position on the cutting bar to the rear and defines a lower level of the adapter. The bottom of the gearbox 17 located at or near the level of the tub 39B ,

The mechanical connection, by the drive trains 42 and 43 is defined, the idle shaft 46 parallel to the output shaft 17B and the input drive shaft 51 up to the roller. The first chain drive 42 is located between the output shaft 17B and the idle shaft 46 and the second chain drive 43 is located between the idle shaft 46 and the input drive shaft 51 ,

As in the 3 . 5 and 6 shown is the output shaft 17B with a hydraulic pump 60 at the end of the shaft opposite the sprocket 17A connected to provide a hydraulic fluid drive for the conveyor belts.

The universal coupling between the input drive shaft and the adjacent end of the roller acts to allow it to be raised and lowered from that end relative to the other end. The universal coupling is located within an end portion of the roll and is connected to a transverse plate within the roll.

Claims (20)

Harvesting attachment for attachment to a harvester with its own drive; wherein the harvester has a feed opening at a front end and a drive shaft at or adjacent the feed opening for transmitting power to the header, the drive shaft extending in a plane generally parallel to a forward direction of travel of the harvester and an output coupling member at a forward end thereof includes; wherein the header is arranged to cut and transport a standing crop and comprises: a header frame; an elongated cutter connected to the frame at a front end of the frame so as to be disposed along a front edge of the attachment frame; a conveyor arrangement for conveying the cut crop to a discharge opening of the header; wherein the conveyor arrangement comprises first and second side conveyor belts, respectively, on a respective side of the discharge opening, with an outer guide roller at an opposite side At the end of the header frame, an inner guide roller is disposed adjacent the discharge port, and a conveyor belt is wound around the outer and inner guide rollers to define an upper run of the respective side conveyor to convey the cut crop over the header to a discharge end adjacent the discharge port ; a feed roller member mounted on the discharge port and arranged to be rotated in one direction to convey crop under the supply roller member through the discharge port into the feed introduction port of the harvester; a header power input rotatably coupled about an axis in said plane parallel to the forward direction for receiving power from the harvester drive coupling of the harvester and for driving power from at least the feed roller member and the conveyor assembly; and a drive system comprising a transmission connected to the input coupling and providing an output shaft for driving at least the feed roller element, the output shaft extending transversely to the forward direction. Header after Claim 1 wherein the drive system comprises a right angle gear. Header after Claim 2 wherein the right angle gear is at least partially mounted within an imaginary downward projection of the feed roller member. A header according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the output shaft also drives a hydraulic pump to drive at least the cutter and the conveyor belts. A header according to any preceding claim, comprising a feed conveyor with a front guide roller located behind the cutter bar, a rear guide roller behind the front guide roller, and a conveyor belt wound around the front and rear guide rollers around an upper run of the feed conveyor for defining the crop from the discharge ends of the first and second side conveyor belts and for conveying the crop rearwardly to the discharge opening. Header after Claim 5 , wherein the transmission is positioned behind the rear guide roller of the feed conveyor. A header according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gear is positioned behind the axis of rotation of the feed roller element. A header according to any preceding claim, wherein a crop guide surface is above the gearbox and arranged to direct the crop to the feed opening. Harvesting attachment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide surface is inclined upwards and backwards. A header according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a floor pan defining a floor level, and wherein the transmission is defined behind the floor pan and above the level of the trough. A header according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a mechanical connection is provided between the output shaft and an input drive shaft which is connected to one end of the feed roller element. Header after Claim 11 wherein the mechanical linkage includes an idler shaft parallel to the output shaft and the input drive shaft, a first chain drive located between the output shaft and the idler shaft, and a second chain drive located between the idler shaft and the input drive shaft. A header according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed roller member is mounted at each end to brackets enabling upward and downward levitation of the feed roller member. Header after Claim 13 wherein the brackets have pivot arms for pivotal movement about a transverse axis along the cutter bar. Header after Claim 14 wherein an idler shaft is provided in parallel with the output shaft and the input drive shaft, a first chain drive between the output shaft and the idle shaft, and a second chain drive between the idler shaft and the input drive shaft, and wherein the pivot arms have a pivot axis coaxial with the idler shaft. A header according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed roller member is mounted at each end to brackets allowing independent up and down levitation of the ends of the feed roller member; wherein a mechanical connection is provided between the output shaft and an input drive shaft connected to one end of the feed roller member, and wherein a universal coupling between the input drive shaft and said one end of the roller is provided to allow lifting and lowering of this end towards the other end. Header after Claim 16 wherein the universal coupling is within an end portion of the roller and connected to a transverse plate within the roller. Crop harvesting attachment for attachment to a harvester with its own drive; wherein the attachment for cutting and transporting a standing crop is arranged and comprises: a header frame; an elongated cutter connected to the frame at a front end of the frame so as to be disposed along a leading edge of the header frame; a conveyor assembly for conveying the cut crop to a discharge opening of the header; the conveyor assembly comprising first and second side conveyor belts each on a respective side of the discharge port with an outer guide roller at an opposite end of the header frame, an inner guide roller adjacent the discharge port, and a conveyor belt wound around the outer and inner guide rollers define upper run of the respective side conveyor to transport the cut crop over the header to a discharge end adjacent the discharge opening; a feed roller member mounted on the discharge port and arranged to be rotated in one direction to convey crop under the feed roller member through the discharge port to the feed input port of the harvester; the feed roller being mounted at each end to brackets allowing independent up and down movement of the ends of the feed roller member; an output drive shaft for providing a drive to at least the feed roller member of the harvester; and a mechanical connection between the output shaft and an input drive shaft connected to one end of the feed roller element; and wherein a universal coupling is provided between the input drive shaft and said one end of the feed roller member to enable raising and lowering of that end with respect to the other end. Crop harvest header after Claim 18 wherein the universal coupling is located within an end portion of the feed roller element. Crop harvest header after Claim 18 wherein the universal coupling is connected to a transverse plate within the feed roller element.

Images